eCom Logistics Podcast

• How ThredUp Processes 100,000 Items a Day with AI and Automation

  What You’ll LearnWhy sustainability wasn’t the initial growth lever and how ThredUp found product-market fit by prioritizing value and convenience.The pivotal shift from a peer-to-peer marketplace to an asset-backed resale model through bag-drop logistics.How ThredUp scaled partially automated distribution centers to process over 100,000 unique items daily.The key metrics that balance throughput, speed, and quality in large-scale resale operations.How generative AI and visual search transformed discovery, personalization, and customer confidence.The cultural practices — hackathons, AI bootcamps, and atomic building blocks — that sustain innovation and rapid adoption internally.How Resale-as-a-Service enables major brands like Madewell to run white-labeled resale programs powered by ThredUp’s technology and operations.Highlights00:00 – Introduction: Dan’s 15-year journey at ThredUp02:00 – Why sustainability alone didn’t drive growth04:00 – The bag-drop pivot: asset-backed vs. P2P resale07:30 – Marketplace dynamics: limited buyer-seller overlap09:00 – Jobs-to-be-done thinking & unlearning old models12:00 – Scaling ops: from scrappy warehouses to the world’s largest clothing carousel17:00 – Throughput vs. quality: metrics that matter21:00 – AI-powered search & discovery: cottagecore to mermaidcore26:30 – Internal AI adoption: hackathons & “atomic building blocks”33:30 – Building a culture of innovation and infinite learning36:30 – Resale-as-a-Service for brands like Madewell39:30 – Future of shopping: agentic AI and frictionless commerce42:00 – Shoptalk Fall preview + closing thoughtsQuotes[00:02:30]: “Even if someone cares about the planet... we did not find product-market fit. We had to work a lot early on to better understand the needs of both buyers and sellers.” - Dan DeMeyere[00:12:15]: “It was a little bit like jumping out of an airplane and just having trust in ourselves that we're gonna build or find a parachute before we hit the ground.” - Dan DeMeyere[00:20:30]: “Trust is so important, especially in the used space. We have to become clever in helping customers feel confident with the potential fit and flattery of every item.” - Dan DeMeyere[00:39:30]: “If your core experience can be improved through AI, why do you need to put ‘AI’ on the website? It’s about the value you bring, the job they’re hiring you for.” - Dan DeMeyereAbout the GuestDan DeMeyere is the Chief Product and Technology Officer at ThredUp, a leading online resale platform pioneering sustainable fashion through technology and operational innovation. With 15 years at ThredUp starting from its inception, Dan has overseen the company’s evolution from a peer-to-peer marketplace into a high-velocity, AI-enabled resale giant processing over 100,000 items daily. He is passionate about customer-centric product development and leveraging AI to transform retail experiences at scale.Links Mentioned- ThredUp: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thredup/- Dan DeMeyere on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dandemeyere/👉 Don’t forget to join us at Shoptalk Fall, October 16–18 in Chicago!🎟️ Grab your tickets here: https://fall.shoptalk.com/ticketsFeatured Sessions at Shoptalk Fall:Harshida Acharya, Partner & CSO at Fulfillment IQ – Scenario Planning in a Volatile WorldNinaad Acharya, Co-Founder & CEO at Fulfillment IQ – Supply Chain Agility in the Age of DisruptionDan DeMeyere, Chief Product and Technology Officer at ThredUp – Retail Intelligence: What AI Can – and Can’t – Do TodayJames Reinhar, Founder & CEO at ThredUp – Leading Through Culture ShiftsCheck the full agenda here. Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges.Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

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• Rethinking Supply Chain & Ops at Scale: Lessons from Erin Chamberlin, Topgolf COO

   What You’ll LearnHow to reverse-engineer the customer journey to simplify complex operational challengesWhy grounding teams in customer empathy unlocks better delivery across multi-site venuesCross-functional collaboration’s role in innovating under tariff pressures and supply chain disruptionsBalancing brand standards with local authenticity in high-scale venue operationsEmbedding real-time two-way feedback channels with frontline teams for continuous improvementCultivating inclusive teams through targeted skill-building and representation to drive diverse leadershipLessons from hospitality and gaming industries on agility amid market volatility and post-COVID shiftsHighlights00:00 – Intro and Erin Chamberlin’s operational background at Topgolf and Caesars01:22 – Erin’s career path: transitioning from consulting to casino and hospitality ops04:50 – The “work backwards from the customer” framework for experience design08:40 – Cross-functional innovation example: rethinking Topgolf’s donut hole injectors under tariff risk12:00 – Scaling consistency across 97 venues through systemized audits and local empowerment15:30 – Culture of innovation fueled by frontline feedback and open idea channels among Playmakers20:15 – Managing growing complexity, market volatility, and agility post-COVID24:50 – Building inclusive, diverse teams with skills development and mentorship programs29:40 – Erin’s personal “lean-in circle” and the importance of peer support in career growth32:00 – Upcoming innovations and expansions at Topgolf: new venues and new game experiences33:20 – Closing and how to follow Erin on LinkedIn Quotes[00:04:54]: “You have all of these lenses and perspectives you've gathered throughout your career, and you try to simplify all of these complex challenges by working backwards from the customer.” - Harshida Acharya[00:07:42]: “What the tech team needs to deliver, what the supply chain team needs to make sure that we have staffed and inventory—we peel that back at each step until you get to the most simple form of what you need to accomplish.” - Erin Chamberlin [00:26:41]: “It's really about providing skills for folks... Getting them to feel comfortable about reading a P&L, getting them comfortable presenting to large groups... We put in place concrete things that folks could do to level up their skill sets—to make them feel more confident.” - Erin Chamberlin [00:30:48]: “It's meant to be, ‘Let's support each other. Don’t think that you’re alone in this.’ There are lots of us who are not sure if we belong here and if there’s a path for us to grow.” - Harshida Acharya About the GuestErin Chamberlin is the Chief Operating Officer at Topgolf, leading operations across over 90 venues globally. With deep expertise from leadership roles at Caesars Entertainment and Penn Entertainment, Erin combines analytics, hospitality, and customer experience to deliver scalable, consistent, and playful experiences. She is passionate about building inclusive teams and fostering culture-led innovation in complex, rapidly growing organizations.Follow Erin on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-chamberlin-7360814/Topgolf venues: https://topgolf.com/  Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges.Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

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• Parcel Tech & Carrier Diversification Demystified: Inside Sendflex’s Innovation

  What You’ll LearnThe origins of integrated parcel shipping systems and Clippership’s impact (1991)Why traditional carrier APIs limit cost optimization and how Sendflex’s engine solves thisThe critical gap between expected shipping costs and actual carrier invoices (north of 15%)How a multi-carrier strategy is essential for modern fulfillment, especially PO box and regional delivery- The rising complexity of omnichannel distribution and its impact on 3PL operations- Lessons from enterprise acquisition failures and maintaining agile, mission-driven growth- How data-driven carrier diversification can unlock real savings versus sales pitchesTimestamped Segments00:00–00:50 – Introduction to Bob Malley and his legacy in parcel logistics00:50–04:39 – Bob’s early career and development of Clippership & Tracer04:39–07:24 – The evolving parcel market, rise of multi-carrier shipping, complexities of e-commerce07:24–10:57 – The critical issue of landing cost variance versus expected shipping costs10:57–15:02 – Operationalizing auditing and cost variance fixes through automation15:02–20:04 – Carrier perspectives on load optimization, dimensional weight, and waste20:04–23:30 – Insights on carrier integration and the promise of new, niche carriers23:30–27:33 – B2B ecommerce growth, omnichannel maturity, and the rise of 3PL dynamics27:33–31:17 – Hard lessons on acquisitions and maintaining agility in logistics tech companies31:17–33:06 – Closing thoughts and where to learn more about Sendflex Quotes[10:13] "The cost variance between expected costs and actual costs is north of 15%.” — Bob Malley[06:13] “The real question is: how do shippers narrow the gap that’s been growing between expected costs all through that journey of the order...” — Bob Malley[30:44] “I believe in companies that have a mission, are small enough to be agile, and stick to what they do well.” — Bob Malley[21:52] “That’s what we’re really excited about — data-backed carrier diversification that makes business sense, not just sales sense.” — Bob MalleyAbout the GuestBob Malley is a pioneer in parcel logistics technology with a track record spanning over three decades. He launched Clippership, the first integrated parcel shipping system, scaled Tracer, led e-commerce at Kewill as CEO, and founded Pierbridge, creating the first enterprise cloud-based parcel TMS. Today, as CEO of Sendflex, he is driving innovation in intelligent modular delivery software built for omnichannel complexity and global shipping optimization.Links MentionedSendflex websiteSendflex LinkedIn Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges.Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

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• JuE Wong on How Supply Chain Becomes a CEO’s Growth Engine

  What You’ll Learn:Why supply chain must sit at the strategy table - not behind itHow SKU discipline drives faster growth and cleaner marginsWhat “AI as servant” really means in ops leadershipWhy executional control beats theoretical plans every timeWhat separates founders who scale from those who stallHow to balance autonomy and shared services in multi-brand orgsHow ops becomes the difference between brand hype and brand healthQuotes:[00:07:25] – “Everything is theoretical - until the customer doesn’t get their order.” - JuE Wong[00:22:25] – “World domination with one SKU is better than SKU proliferation going nowhere.” - JuE Wong[00:30:59] – “AI is your servant, not your master.”  - JuE Wong[00:35:08] – “If you’re not making money, it’s a hobby.”  - JuE WongAbout the Guest:JuE Wong is CEO of PBG, a PE-backed portfolio of six brands and three manufacturers. A six-time CEO across public and private companies, she’s known for scaling teams, transforming operations, and embedding supply chain as a core lever for growth, not just cost.Links Mentioned:JuE Wong on LinkedInPerformance Beauty Group Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges.Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

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• How DHL’s Scott Ashbaugh Is Rethinking Logistics, Automation & USPS Reform

   What You’ll LearnHow DHL responded to USPS’s $40B modernizationWhy DHL scrapped fixed automation in favor of flexibilityWhat “middle mile” scale looks like in actionWhy giving GMs shadow P&Ls boosted morale and resultsHow DHL realigns pricing and sales incentives to protect GPThe downstream risks of misjudging demand post-COVIDDHL’s mindset shift: from prediction to adaptabilityHighlights[00:00] Who is Scott Ashbaugh?[04:00] USPS reform: pain, logic, and adaptation[07:30] Network design: why DHL embraced the pullback[10:30] DHL’s middle mile moat[12:30] Warehouse automation: from fixed to flexible[18:00] Aligning ops, pricing, and sales strategy[23:00] Betting on customers: what DHL looks for[27:00] Pricing transparency as a competitive edge Quotes[00:05:08] “In an organization that big with that many stakeholders, you gotta take 10 steps forward knowing that you're gonna get beat up nine steps backward just to get one forward.” - Scott Ashbaugh:[00:13:04] “We got a crossbelt sorter… but it’s a very fixed machine. You can’t just unbolt it and move it.” Scott Ashbaugh:[00:21:24]: “They felt like they actually could control their fate. You really get to see the creativity of the folks in the field.” - Scott Ashbaugh[00:03:21] “When you can bring that empathy and that experience and that knowledge to the commercial side, it just resonates internally and externally tremendously.” - Dan Coll:About the GuestScott Ashbaugh is Chief Commercial Officer at DHL eCommerce Americas. With over 16 years of experience across operations, automation, and commercial strategy, Scott brings an insider’s view into how DHL scales under pressure while staying agile.Links MentionedDHL eCommerceScott Ashbaugh | LinkedIn Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges.Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

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